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National Zoo Says Andean Bear Pregnant With Twins

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo in Washington says its 6-year-old Andean bear is pregnant with twins.

WUSA-TV reports that the bear, named Billie Jean, could give birth at any time. This would be Billie Jean’s second set of twins. She gave birth to Bernardo and Chaska in January 2010. Billie Jean’s mate, Nikki, had cancer and was euthanized in August.

There’s still a chance Billie Jean won’t give birth to any cubs or that she’ll only give birth to one. Bears can reabsorb their fetuses at any stage of the pregnancy.

Andean bears are also known as spectacled bears. It’s estimated that there are only 2,000 left in their natural habitat in South America.